Days before a botched cash-in-transit heist was executed, the state alleged that traffic officer Khanyisile Viola Nyalunga booked accommodation in Mpumalanga where the robbery was apparently planned.
According to the state, Nyalunga could have organised logistics for the attempted heist that took place in Hazeyview on Thursday last week. She is attached to the Hazeyview satellite office of the Mbombela traffic department.
The court heard that fingerprints were taken in the room that Nyalunga had booked and that evidence showed that she was there twice with other people, including her brother who is currently being sought by police for the same crime and other crimes he allegedly committed in the past. She allegedly booked the accommodation in person but did not stay in the room and only visited it twice.
Nyalunga was arrested on Friday by the Nelspruit Serious Organised Crime Investigation, National Intervention Unit, Provincial Detectives and Nelspruit Local Criminal Record Centre at her house in Kabokweni on Friday last week.
This followed an attempted heist last Thursday during which a grey Mercedes Benz rammed into a Fidelity Guard van before a shootout between the robbers and the guards ensued.
According to the Hawks spokesperson Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, Nyalunga was pointed out by people who witnessed the heist.
“Witnesses indicated that the vehicle of the accused was seen transporting the suspects and firearms, which were used during the failed heist,” said Sekgotodi.
Some of the witnesses placed Nyalunga at the scene of the crime as the driver of the get-away vehicle, her personal red Audi hatchback.
Hawks investigations led them to Nyalunga’s house the following day where they found three stolen cars. The cars, a Mercedes Benz ML 250 was stolen in Mhala, Mpumalanga, in June 2023 while Mercedes Benz C Class sedan was stolen in Vosloorus, Gauteng, in February 2021. Sekgotodi said some of the owners of the vehicles have since claimed them.
Yesterday the White River magistrate's court denied Nyalunga’s bail saying she was a flight risk.
“If she is released on bail it might be difficult for the police to arrest her brother and co-accused,” said the magistrate Paulos Sibuyi.
The court said she also posed a threat to the public and might use her freedom to commit further crimes. She is facing charges of attempted murder, pointing of firearm, possession of ammunition and property, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.
The matter was postponed to next month for further investigation.
Traffic cop 'booked' a room where heist was planned
Court says she is a flight risk and poses a threat to the public
Image: Supplied
Days before a botched cash-in-transit heist was executed, the state alleged that traffic officer Khanyisile Viola Nyalunga booked accommodation in Mpumalanga where the robbery was apparently planned.
According to the state, Nyalunga could have organised logistics for the attempted heist that took place in Hazeyview on Thursday last week. She is attached to the Hazeyview satellite office of the Mbombela traffic department.
The court heard that fingerprints were taken in the room that Nyalunga had booked and that evidence showed that she was there twice with other people, including her brother who is currently being sought by police for the same crime and other crimes he allegedly committed in the past. She allegedly booked the accommodation in person but did not stay in the room and only visited it twice.
Nyalunga was arrested on Friday by the Nelspruit Serious Organised Crime Investigation, National Intervention Unit, Provincial Detectives and Nelspruit Local Criminal Record Centre at her house in Kabokweni on Friday last week.
This followed an attempted heist last Thursday during which a grey Mercedes Benz rammed into a Fidelity Guard van before a shootout between the robbers and the guards ensued.
According to the Hawks spokesperson Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, Nyalunga was pointed out by people who witnessed the heist.
“Witnesses indicated that the vehicle of the accused was seen transporting the suspects and firearms, which were used during the failed heist,” said Sekgotodi.
Some of the witnesses placed Nyalunga at the scene of the crime as the driver of the get-away vehicle, her personal red Audi hatchback.
Hawks investigations led them to Nyalunga’s house the following day where they found three stolen cars. The cars, a Mercedes Benz ML 250 was stolen in Mhala, Mpumalanga, in June 2023 while Mercedes Benz C Class sedan was stolen in Vosloorus, Gauteng, in February 2021. Sekgotodi said some of the owners of the vehicles have since claimed them.
Yesterday the White River magistrate's court denied Nyalunga’s bail saying she was a flight risk.
“If she is released on bail it might be difficult for the police to arrest her brother and co-accused,” said the magistrate Paulos Sibuyi.
The court said she also posed a threat to the public and might use her freedom to commit further crimes. She is facing charges of attempted murder, pointing of firearm, possession of ammunition and property, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.
The matter was postponed to next month for further investigation.
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